Qoflia! 


FROM   THE   LIBRARY  OF 

REV.   LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON,  D.  D. 

BEQUEATHED    BY   HIM   TO 

THE   LIBRARY  OF 

PRINCETON   THEOLOGICAL   SEMINARY 


Section      c  'i- 


a 


Come 


44 


dome 


t*       *  A  R    1   1933 


<3ospel  IbEmns 


BY 


// 


FRANCES     BEVAN 

AUTHOR  OF  "THREE  FRIENDS  OF  GOD,"  ETC. 


IFlew  U>orft 

LOIZEAUX  BROTHERS  BIBLE  TRUTH 
DEPOT 

63    FOURTH    AVENUE 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2012  with  funding  from 

Princeton  Theological  Seminary  Library 


http://archive.org/details/hymnsOObeva 


CONTENTS 


THE    CALL      . 

COME    . 

CONSIDER    THE    LILIES 

LIVING   WATER 

RESURRECTION 

ETERNAL    REDEMPTION 

THE    SAMARITAN      . 

A    GOD    AT    HAND    , 

REST     . 

THE    GOOD    SHEPHERD 

"THAT   IMPERIAL    PALACE    WHENCE 

COMING   TO   THE    WATERS 

THE    GATE    OF    THE    LORD 

ONCE    A    LEPER 

THE    GARDEN    OF   THE    LORD     . 

"WASH   AND    BE    CLEAN" 

PEACE 

"JESUS    ONLY" 

"THE  BEST  robe" 

BETHESDA      . 

DESERT    FOOD 

HEARKEN  !      . 


HE    CAME 


VI 


CONTENTS 


THE   ANSWER 

THE    SUPPER 

THE    FRUIT   OF    TnE    VINE 

ETERNAL    LIFE 

BECOME    A    CHILD 

THE   TRUE    GOD       . 

A    WALL    OF   JASPER 

THE    GIFT       . 

THE    QUIET    LAND 

THE    KNOWN    GOD 

A    CROWN    OF   THORNS      . 

THE    UNSLEEPING    EYE     . 

THE    GOAL      . 


PAGE 

55 
57 
59 
62 

65 
68 
72 
74 
77 
80 
82 
84 
87 


"Come" 


THE  CALL 

uUnto  you,  0  men.  I  call." — Prov.  viii.  4. 

Where  is  the  Voice  that  calleth  me  to  come  ? 

Around  me  is  the  endless  midnight  sea — 
But  through  the  wind  that  drives  the  restless  foam 
It  calls  to  me. 

It  is  a  solemn  and  a  tender  Voice, 

As  if  it  called  me  from  some  unknown  home — 
As  if  there  were  some  heart  that  would  rejoice 
To  see  me  come. 

It  is  as  though  some  yearning  arms  stretched  out 

Would  meet  me  could  I  find  from  whence  it  came- 
For  through  chill  mists  of  darkness  and  of  doubt 
It  calls  my  name. 


THE    CALL 

I  cannot  go  to  Him — I  know  Him  not — 

I  know  not  where  to  find  His  dwelling-place, 
But  sweeter  than  all  happy  dreams  the  thought 
To  see  His  Face. 

Still  near,  and  ever  nearer  doth  it  sound ; 
And  nearer  now  than  is  myself  to  me  ; 
Lord  Jesus !  I  was  lost,  and  I  am  found, 
Sought,  found  by  Thee. 


COME 

"  Come  unto  Me,  all  ye  that  labour  and  are  heavy  laden,  and 
I  will  give  you  rest." — Matt.  xi.  28. 

To  Him  Who  is  rest  to  the  weary, 

Who  is  to  the  hungry  bread, 
Is  cleansing  and  health  to  the  leper, 

Eternal  Life  to  the  dead, 

Christ  calleth,  "Come." 


To  Him  Who  has  known  thy  transgressions, 
Has  known  the  revolt  of  thy  will, 

Has  known  thy  disease,  thy  pollution, 
And  knowing  thee,  loves  thee  still, 
Christ  calleth,  "  Come." 

Behold  Him  Whose  agony  darkened 
The  heavens  when  noon  was  high  ; 

Dishonoured,  accursed,  and  abandoned, 
Rejoicing  for  thee  to  die, 
For  love  of  thee. 


I O  COME 

Behold  Him  Whose  crown  thou  hast  woven 
Of  thorns  of  the  curse  and  the  ban, 

Who  now  in  the  crown  of  His  glory, 
The  risen,  ascended  Man 
Yearns  over  thee. 

Behold  !  He  has  paid  all  the  ransom 

That  sets  thee  eternally  free, 
And  drunk  to  the  dregs  all  the  judgment, 

The  cup  of  the  curse  for  thee. 
All,  all  is  done. 

And  now  to  the  Home  of  thy  Father, 
And  now  to  the  heart  of  thy  God, 

To  the  joy  that  His  agony  measured, 
To  the  glory  won  by  His  Blood, 
Christ  calleth,  "  Come." 


CONSIDER    THE  LILIES 

"  He  feedeth  among  the  lilies." — Cant.  ii.  16. 
"  Why  eateth  your  Master  with  publicans  and  sinners?1 
Matt.  ix.  n. 

All  around  Him  and  beside  Him, 

Sinners  sat  at  meat — 
Sinful  men  and  sinful  women — 

Bread  of  Heaven  they  eat. 

There  for  him  who  hath  no  money 

Wine  and  milk  He  pours 
From  the  blessed  fields  of  Heaven, 

God's  exhaustless  stores. 

So  they  drank,  the  weary,  thirsty, 

That  unfailing  tide  ; 
And  for  ever  and  for  ever 

They  are  satisfied. 

He  on  heavenly  food  was  feeding, 

Meat  to  them  unknown, 
Blessed  will  of  God  Who  sent  Him 

Needing  that  alone  ; 


12  CONSIDER    THE    LILIES 

Sent  to  seek  the  lost  and  guilty, 

Outcasts  and  despised, 
Gems  the  hand  of  God  would  gather 

For  the  crown  of  Christ. 

So  He  fed  amongst  His  lilies, 

Saw  them  fair  and  white, 
In  the  garden  God  had  planted 

For  His  own  delight. 

Only  sinful  men  and  women 
Men  could  see  and  scorn ; 

He  beheld  them  crowned  with  glory 
Of  the  heavenly  morn. 

Saw  them  with  their  palms  of  triumph, 
With  their  harps  of  gold  ; 

Yet  the  same  who  sat  around  Him 
In  the  days  of  old. 


LIVING    WATER 

11  Whosoever  drinketh  of  the  water  that  I  shall  give  him  shall 
never  thirst ;  but  the  water  that  I  shall  give  him  shall  be  in  him  a 
well  of  water  springing  up  into  everlasting  life." — John  iv.  14. 

Weary  on  the  well-side  Jesus  sat  alone, 

The  burning  noon  above — 
Guided  by  a  Hand  unimagined  and  unknown, 

And  by  an  unknown  love, 

Came  another  weary  one,  burdened  with  her  shame, 

A  quenchless  thirst  within  ; 
Came  she  with  the  brand  and  the  ban  of  evil  fame, 

She  came  in  all  her  sin. 

Face  to  face  with   Him  before  Whose  throne  fall 
down 

The  hosts  of  Heaven  she  stood, 
Fallen  and  bemired,  the  outcast  of  the  town, 

The  sinner  before  God. 

Deep  and  sore  her  need,  and  yet  more  deep  and  dire 

Because  to  her  unknown  ; 
Yet  He  spake  of  sorer  need,  deeper  yearning  of  desire, 

He  told  her  of  His  own. 


14  LIVING   WATER 

He  the  God  before  Whom  falls  the  heavenly  host, 
Whose  hands  the  worlds  have  made, 

Suppliant  before  the  fallen  and  the  lost 
The  Lord  of  Glory  prayed. 

Water  He  besought  to  quench  a  sorer  thirst 

Than  weariest  hearts  have  known — 
Sinner  !  that  deep  thirst  of  Jesus  is  the  first, 
Long,  long  before  thine  own. 

First  the  love  eternal,  guiding  weary  feet, 

Through  lonely  pilgrim  years, 
Long  ere  broken  hearts  shall  come  with  ointment 
sweet 

And  wash  them  with  their  tears. 

Still  He  waits  beseeching,  "  Give  thou  Me  to  drink  ; 

O  soul,  I  thirst  for  thee  ! 
Wine  of  joy  surpassing  all  that  heart  can  think, 

Art  thou,  Mine  own,  to  Me." 

Jesus !  Lord,  I  give  Thee  all  I  have  to  give, 

Myself  with  all  my  guilt — 
Thou  Thyself  hast  given,  hast  died  that  I  might  live, 

So  be  it  as  Thou  wilt. 


LIVING    WATER  15 

Unto  Him  Who  loved  me,  washed  me  in  His  Blood, 

Shall  power  and  glory  be, 
Praise  for  life  that  floweth  as  a  mighty  flood 

From  Thee,  my  God,  to  me. 

There  forgotten  lies  the  water-pot  that  drew 

To  drink  and  thirst  again, 
Now  to  seek  the  lost,  went  forth  the  soul  that  knew 

The  Saviour  of  men. 


RESURRECTION 

"  Said  I  not  unto  thee,  that,  if  thou  wouldest  believe,  thou 
shouldest  see  the  glory  of  God  ? " — John  xi.  40. 

Where  should  the  weeping  eyes  behold  His  glory  ? 

For  Heaven  was  very  far — 
There  might  be  light,  and  music,  and  rejoicing 

Beyond  some  happy  star.  .  .  . 

They  took  the  stone  away  from  that  dark  chamber 

Wherein  the  dead  was  laid — 
The  place  of  foul  decay,  and  dread  defacing 

Of  that  which  God  had  made — 

Of  gloom  and  silence,  where  the  awful  wages 

Of  guilt  are  paid  and  stored ; 
Where  hands  that  sinned,  and  feet  that  strayed  and 
wandered 

Receive  their  due  reward.  .   .   . 

Then  Jesus  lifted  up  His  eyes,  rejoicing 

To  praise  the  Father's  Name, 
And  straightway  from  that  pit  of  drear  pollution, 

Behold  !  the  living  came. 

16 


RESUKRECTION  1 7 

The  glory  of  the  Lord  in  fuller  splendour 

Than  on  the  throne  above  ; 
It  is  the  triumph  of  the  warfare  ended — 

Of  God's  victorious  love. 

Still  glorious,  still  resplendent,  where  awakened, 

The  sinner  hears  His  voice, 
Comes  forth  from  death  and  darkness  of  corruption 

With  Jesus  to  rejoice. 

In  dimness  of  man's  miserable  splendour, 

In  dens  of  foulest  night, 
The  glory  of  the  Lord  as  radiant  morning 

With  voices  of  delight, 

Ariseth  day  by  day  where  Jesus  standeth 

And  calleth  to  the  dead, 
For  still  His  feet  amidst  the  burial  places 

In  their  compassion  tread. 

The  dead  come  forth,  that  voice  unsilenced,  sounding 

As  many  waters  of  a  mighty  sea, 
And  passed  from  death  to  life  they  sit  around  Him. 

.   .  .  That  feast  is  spread,  O  ransomed  soul,  for 
thee. 

B 


ETERNAL   REDEMPTION 

"  In  whom  we  have  redemption  through  His  Blood,  the  forgive- 
ness of  sins,  according  to  the  riches  of  His  grace." — Eph.  i.  7. 

Forgiven,  forgiven,  forgiven, 

For  all  and  for  ever — 
Sins  cast  in  the  depths  of  the  sea — 
In  heaven  or  hell  there  is  nought  that  can  sever 

My  soul  from  Thee. 

Thine  own,  Thine  own,  and  Thy  ransomed, 

Bought  with  the  Blood  of  Thy  Cross, 
I  count  for  Thy  love  everlasting 
All  things  but  loss. 

Dost  Thou  not  fill  all  the  heavens  ? 

Only  Thyself  I  see 
Where  the  myriad  stars  are  burning, 

Thee,  only  Thee. 

Art  Thou  not  here  my  Refuge, 

My  Tower,  my  Citadel  strong  ? 
Art  Thou  not  all  the  Sweetness 

Of  my  soul's  eternal  song  ? 


THE  SAMARITAN 

"  A  certain  Samaritan,  as  he  journeyed,  came  where  he  was." 
— Luke  x.  33. 

Jesus  the  despised,  the  outcast  and  the  stranger, 

Came  where  I  lay — 
As  the  Shepherd  sought  His  sheep  on  the  wild  and 
lonely  mountains 

In  the  cloudy  and  dark  day. 

Never  had  I  called  Him,  never  had  I  sought  Him, 

Himself  He  came  to  me  ; 
O  helpless  one  and  naked,  He  said  when  He  beheld  me, 
I  have  pity  upon  thee. 

Wine  andoilHe  pouredfrom  stores  of  His  compassion, 

Tenderly  poured — 
Binding  up  my  wounds  with  Hands  that  made  the 
Heavens — 

Jesus,  my  Lord. 

Long  He  bare  and  carried  me  in  strength  wherewith 
He  rideth 

On  tempests  and  on  calms — 
Gently  did  He  bear  me,  beneath  me  was  the  refuge 
Of  everlasting  arms. 


20  THE    SAMARITAN 

Safe  unto  the  shelter  He  brought  me,  and  I  rested 

In  stillness  of  His  love  ; 
All  night   He  sat  beside  me,  the  radiance   of  His 
presence 

Around  me  and  above. 


Through  lingering  night-watches  His  eye  was  resting 
on  me, 

For  my  need  I  could  not  tell ; 
He  felt  it  in  His  love,  as  His,  for  so  He  loved  me ; 
And  thus  He  knew  it  well. 


Awhile  fie  has  departed,  He  has  left  me  healed  and 
strengthened ; 

"  Do  likewise,"  did  He  say, 
"  I  have  left  thee  in  good  keeping,  till  I  come  again 
in  glory 

Of  everlasting  day." 

Not  destitute  and  helpless  He  has  left  me  to  press 
onward 

In  traces  of  His  feet — 
Oh  sweet  will  be  the  meeting,  but  His  care  whilst  yet 
I  journey 

How  marvellously  sweet. 


THE    SAMARITAN  2  1 

So    likewise  would    I  journey,  where  helpless   and 
unpitied 

Lie  those  as  I  lay  then  ; 
His  name  as  wine  and  oil  He  has  left  me  for  their 
healing, 

Until  He  comes  again. 


A    GOD  AT  HAND 

"Thou  art  near,  0  Lord." — Ps.  cxix.  151. 

Thou  dreamest  of  a  God  Who  dwells  in  some  far 

distant  sky, 
Thou  knowest  not  the  Heart  of  love  that  is  for  ever 

nigh. 
"I    knew  not" — said   the    wanderer    who  saw  the 

ladder  stand 
Between    the  throne    of   God,  and    his  waste    and 

lonely  land. 
But  Abraham  could  build  beside  his  pilgrim  tent 
An  altar  to  God  near  him,  wheresoever  he  went. 

G.  T.  S. 


REST 

"  Come  unto  Me,  all  ye  that  labour  and  are  heavy  laden,  and 
J  will  give  you  rest." — Matt.  xi.  28. 

As  a  Stranger  unregarded 

God  thy  Saviour  stands ; 
See  His  eyes  of  strange  compassion, 

See  His  Feet  and  Hands. 

"  It  is  I  Myself— behold  Me 

Walking  on  the  sea 
Of  thy  turmoil  and  thy  sorrow — 

Sinner,  come  to  Me." 

Well  He  knows  the  starless  midnight 

Of  the  lonely  caves, 
Far  below  the  sunny  billows 

And  the  crested  waves. 

He,  amidst  the  songs  and  laughter, 

Hears  the  heart's  despair, 
Told  in  idle  words  and  mocking, 

Yet  untold  in  prayer, 

23 


24  REST 

Stirring  all  His  heart's  compassion, 
Joyless  soul,  for  thee — 

And  in  answer  hear  Him  calling, 
"  Come  at  last  to  Me." 


Which  wilt  thou,  the  fading  tinsel 

And  the  withering  rose, 
And  the  sparkling  spring  whence  only 

Bitter  water  flows ; 

Or  the  gold  once  tried  in  fire 
When  in  darkness  dread 

Jesus  bare  the  curse,  the  judgment, 
Smitten  in  thy  stead  ; 

Crowned  with  thorns  of  thy  deserving, 

Whilst  upon  thy  brow 
He  could  set  His  crown  of  glory, 
With  the  oil  of  His  anointing, 

Seal  thee  now. 

See  beside  the  living  waters 

God's  unfading  Tree, 
Fruit  for  meat,  and  leaves  for  healing, 

Banquet  spread  for  thee ; 


REST  2  5 

By  the  stream  from  deepest  fountains 

Of  the  love  divine 
Sweet  and  pure  for  ever  flowing — 

Say — shall  this  be  thine  ? 


THE  GOOD  SHEPHERD 

"The  Son  of  man  is  come  to  save  that  which  was  lost."- 
Matt.  xviii.  ii. 

For  the  lost  on  the  lonely  mountains 

In  mist  and  snow, 
For  the  thirsty  whose  desert  fountains 

Dried  long  ago — 

Jesus  came. 

For  the  weary  who  followed  a  phantom 

Through  waste  and  fen, 
And  found  when  they  called  but  an  echo 

Answering  again — 

Jesus  came. 

For  the  tears  in  the  silent  chambers 

Which  no  man  dries — 
For  the  blank  and  desolate-hearted 

With  tearless  eyes, 

Jesus  came. 

For  the  lone  and  world-worn  in  splendour 

Of  stately  throngs, 
For  the  souls  in  laughter  despairing 

Sad  in  their  songs, 

Jesus  came. 

9.6 


THE    GOOD    SHEPHERD  27 

For  the  guilty,  the  base,  the  polluted 

Whom  men  disown — 
For  those  who  despise  the  Saviour 

They  have  not  known, 
Jesus  came. 

For  those  who  with  tears  and  with  kisses 

Would  wash  His  feet, 
And  low  in  the  dust  would  anoint  Him 

With  ointment  sweet, 
Jesus  came. 

For  those  who  in  pride  receive  Him 

Without  a  kiss, 
Yet  clad  in  their  rags  of  pollution, 

Their  righteousness, 

Jesus  came. 

For  thee  He  came  and  He  suffered 

A  doom  unknown, 
And  thee  from  His  glory  He  calleth 

To  sit  on  His  throne — 

Come — Come — Come  ! 


-THAT  IMPERIAL   PALACE   WHENCE 
HE   CAME" 

"  When  he  came  to  himself,  he  said,  How  many  hired  servants 
of  my  father's  have  bread  enough,  and  to  spare,  and  I  perish 
with  hunger." — Luke  xv.  17. 

There  rose  a  mighty  famine  in  that  land 
Where  once  was  feast  and  mirth ; 

And  bare  and  lonely  lay  on  every  hand 
The  desolated  earth. 

And  he  who  wandered  there  lamented  not 

The  songs  that  were  no  more ; 
But  ever  haunted  him  a  shapeless  thought 

Of  something  long  before. 

There  came  to  him  a  yearning  strange  and  deep 

For  gladness  past  away, 
Before  the  dreamlight  of  his  troubled  sleep 

Some  long-forgotten  day. 

As  if  the  longing  passionate  and  wild, 

Desires  that  search  and  roam, 
Were  but  the  memories  of  the  long-lost  child, 

The  beckonings  home. 

28 


"that  imperial  palace  whence  he  came"    29 

One  last  reminder  of  the  soul  that  came 

From  glory  long  ago — 
That  need  insatiate  that  hath  no  name 
Of  him  who  hath  a  lost  and  vanished  claim 

Which  none  besides  may  know. 

The  swine  can  eat  the  husks  and  be  content — 

He  knew  some  garden  fair, 
Ere  into  homeless  banishment  he  went ; 

The  Tree  of  Life  was  there. 

Last  relic  of  his  bliss  to  hunger  still — 

God  asks  of  him  no  more  ; 
It  is  His  blessed  joy  the  soul  to  fill 

From  His  exhaustless  store. 

For  God  hath  yet  a  garden  and  a  tree, 

A  gate  that  open  stands 
For  those  who  hunger  on  the  withered  lea 

And  in  the  barren  lands. 

The  Tree  of  Life  grows  green  beside  the  flood 

Of  living  water  still, 
For  Jesus  is  the  fountain  and  the  food 

For  all  who  will. 


30     "THAT  impeeial  palace  whence  he  came 

The  Gift  of  God  to  His  rebellious  son, 

A  glorious  gift  and  free — 
Because  thou  art  the  lost,  the  hungry  one, 

He  gives  His  Bread  to  thee. 

He  gives  thee  Christ  to  be  thy  food  and  drink, 

To  be  thy  strength  and  stay  ; 
He  gives  not  as  we  ask  or  as  we  think, 

He  waits  not  till  we  pray. 

Before,  beyond,  all  longing  and  all  prayer, 

That  Gift  of  love  was  given — 
Before  we  knew  the  earthly  fields  were  bare 

He  sent  the  Bread  from  Heaven. 

He  calleth,  "Eat,  O  friends" — the  feast  is  spread, 

He  pours  the  heavenly  wine — 
Himself  the  blessdd  Cup,  Himself  the  Bread ; 

Christ,  Christ  is  thine. 


COMING    TO    THE    WATERS 

"  Ho,  every  one  that   thirsteth,  come  ye  to  the  waters. "- 
Isa.  lv.  I. 

I  am  come  unto  the  waters, 

Thou  didst  call  me  by  my  name — 

Thou  didst  call  unto  the  thirsty, 
I  was  thirsty  and  I  came. 

Oh  the  draughts  of  life  eternal ! 

There  would  I  beside  that  river 
Lay  me  down  the  parched  and  weary, 

Drink  for  ever  and  for  ever ! 

Drink  from  out  the  depths  unfathomed 

Life  eternal,  life  divine — 
Thou,  O  measureless,  exhaustless, 

Thou  for  evermore  art  mine. 

Lo,  I  come  to  buy,  rejoicing 

That  with  empty  hands  I  come  : 

Meted  to  me  by  the  measure 
Of  Thy  love's  exhaustless  sum 


32  COMING    TO    THE    WATERS 

Are  the  riches  of  Thy  treasure 
Fathomless  and  full  and  free, 

Christ  Thy  Gift,  O  God  my  Father, 
To  the  destitute,  to  me. 

Wine  of  Thine  eternal  gladness 

Hath  Thine  Hand  in  bounty  poured, 

More  than  fills  my  cup  of  blessing, 
Love  divine  of  Christ  my  Lord. 

Love  the  golden  fruit  has  gathered, 
Love  that  mighty  wine  has  spiced  ; 

Mine  is  now  the  joy  of  Heaven, 
For  that  joy  is  Christ. 


THE  GATE  OF  THE  LORD 

"  Enter  into  His  gates  with  thanksgiving." — Ps.  c.  4. 

0  Gate  of  the  Lord  !  I  had  dreamed  of  Thee, 
In  nights  when  in  darkness  I  slumbered, 

A  Gate  that  was  bolted  and  barred  to  me, 
Because  of  my  sins  unnumbered. 

1  dreamt  of  a  high  and  a  dreadful  Gate, 

Where  I  knocked  in  fear  and  weeping — 
Where  God's  white  Angels  in  solemn  state 
Their  watch  and  their  ward  were  keeping. 

.  .  .  O  Gate  of  my  Father,  revealed  to  me 
In  glorious  light  of  the  morning, 

0  Gate  which  the  lost  and  the  weary  see, 
But  hid  from  the  eyes  of  the  scorning; 

1  came  to  Thee — but  I  could  not  knock — 

Thou  wert  open,  0  Gate,  before  me  ; 

There  w7as  never  a  bar,  and  never  a  lock, 

And  Welcome  !  was  written  o'er  Thee — 
33  c 


34  THE    GATE    OF    THE    LORD 

I  could  not  ask,  for  the  Lord  stood  there, 
And  His  was  the  sweet  imploring ; 

I  could  but  enter  that  Gate  so  fair 
In  wonder  and  in  adoring. 

Within — in  the  Home  of  ancient  peace, 
In  the  House  of  the  Father  dwelling ; 

How  should  the  song  of  my  gladness  cease, 
The  joy  of  His  welcome  telling? 

At  home  with  Him  whilst  the  feet  must  tread 
Awhile  the  paths  of  the  desert ; 

Here  with  His  manna  unfailing  fed, 
And  there  with  His  love  unmeasured. 


ONCE  A  LEPER 

"  He  is  a  leprous  man,  he  is  unclean  :  the  priest  shall  pro- 
nounce him  utterly  unclean  .  .  .  his  clothes  shall  be  rent,  and  his 
head  bare,  and  he  shall  put  a  covering  on  his  upper  lip,  and 
shall  crv,  Unclean,  unclean. — Lev.  xiii.  44,  45. 

"  It  came  to  pass,  that,  as  they  went,  they  were  cleansed.  And 
one  of  them,  when  he  saw  that  he  was  healed,  turned  back,  and 
with  a  loud  voice  glorified  God,  and  fell  down  on  his  face  at  His 
feet,  giving  Him  thanks." — Luke  xvii.  14-16. 

Cleansed  !  O  my  God,  I  adore  Thee, 

The  years  of  my  exile  past ! 
Lord  Jesus,  I  fall  before  Thee, 

Eternally  healed  at  last. 

In  place  of  the  rent  attire, 

The  righteousness  that  was  mine, 

The  rags  unclean  and  polluted, 
My  raiment  as  white  as  Thine. 

The  head  once  bare  and  dishonoured 
Is  crowned  with  Thy  crown  of  gold  ; 

By  lips  that  had  breathed  pollution 
The  tale  of  Thy  love  is  told. 


36  ONCE    A    LEPER 

Thine  is  the  power  and  glory, 
Thy  love  as  an  endless  sea — 

Low,  low  at  thy  feet  I  adore  Thee, 
Thy  banished  brought  home  to  Thee. 

Cleansed  by  the  Blood  of  Thy  Passion, 
That  flowed  for  me  long  ago  ; 

In  that  everlasting  fountain 

Made  purer  than  mountain  snow. 

Sweet  is  the  health  and  the  cleansing, 
But  mine  is  a  joy  more  sweet, 

On  the  golden  floor  of  Thy  Heaven 
To  kneel  and  to  kiss  Thy  Feet. 

Cleansed — yet  it  was  not  pity 

That  healed  the  sick  and  defiled, 

But  the  yearning  of  God  the  Father 
To  fall  on  the  neck  of  His  child. 


THE  GARDEN  OF  THE  LORD 

"  The  lines  are  fallen  unto  me  in  pleasant  places ;  yea,  I  have 
a  goodly  heritage." — Ps.  xvi.  6. 

In  a  peaceful  land  and  holy, 

Land  unseen  by  mortal  eyes, 
God  hath  still  His  blessed  garden, 

Still  His  Paradise. 

That  fair  garden  hath  not  vanished 
Save  from  eyes  of  blinded  men — 

Hark  !  God  calleth  to  His  banished, 
Come  !   O  come  again  ! 

See  !  the  flaming  sword  no  longer 

Guardeth  the  eternal  Tree — 
Open  stands  the  Gate  of  morning, 

Wandering  soul,  for  thee. 

Hark  !  once  spake  His  voice  Who  loved  thee, 
Loved  thee,  sinner,  in  thy  sin, 

Wake,  O  sword,  against  My  Shepherd  ! 
Let  the  flock  pass  in. 

37 


38  THE   GARDEN    OF    THE    LORD 

In  His  grave  for  ever  buried 
Lies  the  guilt  thy  lips  confess  ; 

All  thy  sin,  and  all  thy  sorrow, 
All  thy  righteousness. 

Leave  behind  thy  condemnation, 
Leave  behind  thy  fear  and  doubt — 

Can  it  be  that  He  Who  calls  thee 
Yet  should  cast  thee  out  ? 

There  the  God  of  glory  walketh, 
None  to  hide  amidst  His  trees, 

But  His  own,  ashamed  no  longer, 
Clad  in  Christ  He  sees. 

From  thy  land  of  exile  turning, 
Welcome  there,  O  soul,  art  thou — 

Welcomed  with  His  song  of  gladness 
Now — even  now. 


"  WASH,   AND  BE   CLEAN" 

2  Kings  v.   13. 
"  Her  sins,  which  are  many,  are  forgiven." — Luke  vii.  47. 

Because  my  transgressions  are  many, 
Are  more  than  the  hairs  of  my  head — 

The  sins  that  are  black  and  secret, 
The  sins  that  are  crimson  red — 

Because  on  Thy  Cross  I  have  seen  them, 
Beholding  how  deep  is  their  dye  ; 

Because  Thine  own  lips  have  absolved  me, 
Here,  here,  O  my  God,  am  I. 

Here,  here,  in  Thy  holy  Temple 

Brought  near,  in  Thy  Holiest  place, 

To  show  to  Thy  wondering  Angels 
The  miracle  of  Thy  grace — 

The  more  as  a  dark  remembrance 
Those  sins  in  their  terror  arise ; 
The  more  to  my  soul  they  are  bitter ; 

The  more  they  are  black  in  mine  eyes, 

39 


40  "wash,  and  be  clean 

The  more  must  I  wonder  and  worship, 
Beholding  how  great  was  the  debt 

By  Thee,  Lord,  forgiven,  forgotten, 
Though  I  must  remember  it  yet. 

For  Thou  on  the  throne  of  Thy  glory 

Hast  shown  me  Thy  Hands  and  Thy  Feet ; 

Thou  sayest,  Behold  the  forgiveness 
Eternal,  and  sure,  and  complete ; 

Well  known  to  Me  measure  and  number 
Of  sins  that  in  part  thou  hast  known, 

To  Me  in  Mine  agony  measured — 
To  Me  in  Mine  anguish  alone. 

Say,  is  it  enough,  O  beloved  ? 

O  sinner,  behold  Me  and  see, 
Is  there  sorrow  like  unto  My  sorrow 

As  that  which  was  done  unto  Me  ? 

.  .  .  My  God  and  my  Saviour,  as  surely 
As  Thou  art  in  glory  in  Heaven, 

So  surely  I  own  it,  rejoicing 
That  I,  even  I,  am  forgiven. 


PEACE 

"  Thou  wilt  keep  him  in  perfect  peace,  whose  mind  is  stayed 
on  Thee." — Isa.  xxvi.  3. 

"He  is  our  Peace." — Eph.  ii.  14. 

There  calm  and  still  in  fair  celestial  light 

Lies  God's  eternal  sea, 
From  thence  amidst  the  tempest  and  the  night 
He  spake  to  me. 

He  called  me  with  a  still  and  tender  voice, 

Resistless  and  divine — 
His  rest  is  there  where  His  beloved  rejoice, 
That  rest  is  mine. 

An  endless  tide  of  deep  untroubled  peace 

Is  Christ  in  Whom  I  dwell ; 
Far,  far  below  there  rave  the  tossing  seas 
I  knew  so  well. 

I  hear  the  thunder  of  the  distant  waves, 

A  murmur  low  and  dim, 
Of  restless  waves  amidst  the  hollow  caves — 

I  rest  in  Him. 

41 


42  PEACE 

Safe  harboured  in  the  everlasting  Home 

Of  everlasting  love, 
With  Him  to  yearn  for  wandering  souls  that  roam 
As  Noah's  dove — 

Who  find  amidst  the  waste  of  waters  wild 

For  weary  feet  no  rest, 
Whilst  gladly  God  would  fold  His  long-lost  child 
Upon  his  breast. 

It  is  from  out  the  sweetness  and  the  calm 

To  thee,  O  soul,  He  calls — 
So  near  to  thee  the  song,  the  crown,  the  psalm, 
The  palace  halls.  .  .  . 

There,  entering  from  my  drear  and  lonely  lands, 

One  moment  hath  sufficed 
To  pass  the  mystic  Door  that  open  stands — 
That  Door  is  Christ. 


"JESUS   ONLY" 

Only  Jesus  !  Rock  of  Ages,  safe  and  sure  beneath 

my  feet — 
Only  Jesus  is  the  Fountain  whence  there  flow  the 

waters  sweet ; 
Only  Jesus  is  the  Image  of  the  God  my  soul  would 

see ; 
Only  Jesus  is  the  Shepherd  ever  feeding,  leading  me. 
Only  Jesus  is  my  power,  glorious,  victorious  might, 
Only  Jesus,  pure  and  holy,  is  my  Raiment  clean  and 

white. 

Only  Jesus  is  my  Treasure,  inexhaustible,  untold, 

Only  Jesus,   here    and    yonder,   when    I    tread    the 

streets  of  gold. 

G.  T.  S. 


43 


"  THE  BEST  ROBE" 

Luke  xv.  22. 

To  the  garden  the  Lord  had  planted 
In  the  cool  of  the  day  He  came, 

And  the  sinner,  his  sad  eyes  opened, 
Made  raiment  to  hide  his  shame. 

He  feared  to  stand  in  Thy  Presence, 

For  holy,  O  God,  art  Thou— 
How  may  I  come  before  Thee 

And  stand  in  Thy  Presence  now  ? 

Where  is  the  robe  to  cover 

And  hide  my  sin  from  Thine  eyes  ? 

They  are  keen  as  a  flaming  fire 

To  pierce  through  the  soul's  disguise — 
How  may  I  come  ? 

.  .  .  Then  from  the  house  of  His  treasures 

God  brought  a  Robe  most  fair — 
Such  raiment  of  glory  and  beauty 

No  Angel  in  heaven  might  wear. 

44 


"the  best  robe  45 

Was  it  to  hide  the  dishonour 

Of  the  sinner  stained  and  defiled  ? 

Nay — but  to  witness  to  Heaven 
Of  that  which  befits  His  child. 

No  longer  the  sinner  polluted 

Stood  guilty  before  His  Face, 
But  alive  with  the  life  of  Jesus 

Another  stood  in  his  place. 

Another,  for  whom  the  splendour 
Of  the  glorious  Robe  was  meet, 

As  the  bride  is  adorned  with  jewels 
Because  she  is  fair  and  sweet. 

The  sin  and  the  sinner  for  ever 

In  the  grave  of  the  garden  lay, 
And  the  stone  on  that  sepulchre  lying 

No  angel  should  roll  away. 

The  child  of  the  new  creation, 

Born  of  the  Spirit  and  Word, 
The  living  in  Christ  arisen, 

One  with  his  living  Lord — 


46  "the  best  robe" 

Stainless  and  pure  and  fearless 
Stood  in  the  Face  of  God ; 

The  witness  to  all  the  heavens 

Of  the  worth  of  the  precious  Blood 

Now  the  transformed  could  worship 
Where  the  sinner  wept  before, 

Clad  in  the  raiment  of  Heaven, 
And  Christ  was  the  Robe  he  wore. 


BETHESDA 

"  Jesus  saith  unto  him,  Rise,  take  up  thy  bed,  and  walk."- 
Johx  v.  8. 

He  found  me  alone  and  helpless — 
The  healing  waters  were  nigh, 

But  I  could  not  plunge  beneath  them — 
I  must  wait — wait  and  die. 

He  spake,  and  the  swift  strong  River, 

The  River  of  life  divine, 
Flowed  from  the  depths  unfathomed, 

From  His  heart  into  mine. 

Made  whole  for  ever  and  ever, 
From  death  to  life  I  had  passed, 

A  son  of  the  Lord  Almighty, 
Strong  in  His  might  at  last. 

Then  from  His  mouth  the  commission, 
The  glorious  mandate  came — 

"  As  I  have  walked  on  the  waters, 
Go  thou  and  do  the  same. 

47 


48  BETHESDA 

"  Go  tread  on  the  lion  and  adder, 
I,  the  Lord,  am  thy  strength, 

And  under  thy  feet  the  dragon 
Shall  lie  in  the  dust  at  length. 

"  Go,  walk  where  the  dead  are  lying ; 

The  life  I  have  given  to  thee, 
From  thee  shall  flow  as  a  river, 

They  shall  rise  and  sing  to  Me. 

11  Go,  walk  where  the  broken-hearted 
Weep  in  the  lonely  ways ; 

My  wine  and  My  oil  I  give  thee, 
And  garments  of  joy  and  praise. 

"  Go,  walk  where  I  walked  before  thee, 
And  heal  the  smitten  and  torn, 

And  clothe  in  My  glorious  raiment 
The  naked  and  forlorn." 

And  therefore  in  fearless  triumph 
Is  the  journey  of  the  soul, 

For  He  Who  said  "  Walk"  is  Jesus, 
The  same  Who  hath  made  me  whole. 


DESERT  FOOD 

"  He  looked,  and,  behold,  a  cake  baken  on  the  coals,  and  a 
cruse  of  water  at  his  head.', —  i  Kings  xix.  6. 

A  long  day's  journey  in  the  wilderness, 

To  go  I  knew  not  where. 
Before  me,  far  into  the  burning  west, 

The  desert  of  despair. 

Behind  me  shattered  hopes,  and  fear,  and  hate  : 
An  empty  past. 

0  God  !  my  soul  is  spent  and  desolate, 

1  cast  me  down,  and  for  Thy  call  I  wait 

That  I  may  die  at  last. 

It  is  enough,  my  God — at  rest,  unknown, 

My  fathers  sleep, 
And  why  should  I  live  on  ?  for  I  have  sown 

And  may  not  reap. 

Beneath  the  shadow  of  the  desert  tree 

I  lay  and  wept ; 
And  from  the  Lord  a  blessed  stillness  came, 

And  in  His  Arms  I  slept. 


SO  DESERT    FOOD 

A  touch  that  reached  the  soul,  and  I  awoke, 

A  Voice  most  sweet ; 
In  speech  of  the  eternal  home  it  spoke, 

"  Arise  and  eat." 

Beside  me  was  the  Bread  that  came  from  Heaven, 

The  water  of  God's  River ; 
A  gift  mysterious  His  hand  had  given 

That  I  might  live  for  ever. 

I  asked  for  death — He  gave  me  endless  life ; 

I  slept  beneath  His  wings, 
At  rest  from  fear,  from  hate,  from  fruitless  strife, 

From  bitter  questionings. 

But  that  eternal  life  He  granted  not 

For  such  sweet  rest  alone  ; 
Far  higher  than  my  thoughts  His  blessed  thought, 
For  He  would  bring  me  to  a  place  unsought, 

That  place  His  own. 

A  place  most  still  and  glorious — very  far 

From  all  the  stir  of  men  ; 
Anew  He  touched  me,  and  the  Morning  Star 

Shone  as  I  woke  again. 


DESERT    FOOD  5  I 

"  Arise  and  eat,  the  journey  is  too  great." 

And  once  again  there  stood 
Beside  me  in  the  waste  most  desolate 

The  heavenly  food. 

So  ate  I,  and  I  drank  eternal  strength, 

And  on  my  way  I  wend, 
For  well  I  know  that  I  shall  reach  at  length 

The  glorious  end. 

Upon  His  holy  mountain  I  shall  stand 

And  see  His  face, 
And  I  shall  hear  His  voice  in  that  fair  land, 

That  holy  Place. 


HEARKEN  I 

11  He  said,  This  is  the  rest  wherewith  ye  may  cause  the  weary 
to  rest ;  and  this  is  the  ref eshing  :  yet  they  would  not  hear." — 
Isa.  xxviii.  12. 

Hear  !  hear  the  Voice  that  is  calling — 

Is  calling,  O  Soul,  to  thee— 
Midst  the  thousand  Babel  voices 

And  the  roar  of  the  restless  sea. 

A  Voice  that  is  deep  and  tender, 

Of  mighty  and  solemn  tone, 
Heard  amidst  thousand  voices 

In  its  glory  all  alone. 

To  thee  none  other  has  spoken, 
For  the  words  of  none  may  reach 

Thy  lonely  hidden  chamber 
In  faltering  earthly  speech  ; 

Save  the  Voice  that  of  old  in  Eden 
Spake  in  the  evening  breeze — 

Wilt  thou  answer,  O  soul,  and  worship, 
Or  hide  thee  amidst  the  trees  ? 


HEAKKEN !  5  3 

To  thee  and  to-day  it  calleth ; 

To-morrow  it  may  not  call ; 
The  day  like  a  dream  is  passing, 

xlnd  the  silent  night  will  fall. 

Hearken  !  He  speaks  of  a  sorrow 

Unshared,  unfathomed,  unknown  ; 
Of  an  hour  of  nameless  anguish, 
Of  the  cup  that  He  drank  alone. 

He  tells  of  the  night  in  the  garden, 

The  agony  deep  and  dread  ; 
Of  the  sword  that  has  smitten  the  Shepherd 

That  smote  Him,  O  soul,  in  thy  stead  ; 

When  veiled  in  the  horror  of  darkness, 

Forsaken,  He  bare  thy  sin  ; 
Of  the  veil  which  His  death  has  riven 

That  thou  mightest  pass  within. 

Within — where  the  Father  greeteth 

The  son  from  the  far-off  land  ; 
Where  His  robe  he  wraps  around  him, 

And  sets  His  seal  on  his  hand. 


54  hearken! 

He  tells  of  the  feast  and  the  music 
Awaiting  the  son  who  was  lost, 

Brought  back  by  a  love  almighty, 
Brought  back  at  a  measureless  cost. 

This  is  the  Voice  that  speaketh, 

Calling,  O  soul,  to  thee ; 
For  thee  is  the  home  and  gladness 

To  be,  or  never  to  be  ? 

Shall  the  song  to  thy  mouth  be  given, 
And  the  glorious  crown  to  thy  head  ? 

Shall  He  say,  I  have  found  my  lost  one  ; 
He  liveth,  who  once  was  dead? 
Answer  Him  now. 


THE  ANSWER 

"The  blind  and  the  lame  came  to  Him   .  .  .  and  He  healed 
them." — Matt.  xxi.  14. 

Lord  Jesus,  my  God  and  my  Saviour, 

Before  Thy  feet  do  I  fall ; 
The  blind  who  at  last  has  seen  Thee, 

The  deaf  who  has  heard  Thy  call. 

Because  I  am  stained  and  polluted, 

Lost  on  a  lonely  sea, 
Because  I  am  broken-hearted, 

0  Lord,  do  I  come  to  Thee. 

I  bring  Thee  my  sin  and  my  sorrow, 

1  can  bring  Thee  nought  beside  ; 
Yet  I  am  the  sinner  Thou  lovest, 

The  guilty  for  whom  Thou  hast  died. 

For  me  Thou  wert  cursed  and  forsaken, 

For  me  was  Thy  soul  athirst ; 
And  now,  O  my  Lord,  I  love  Thee, 

Because  Thou  hast  loved  me  first. 


56  THE    ANSWER 

I  take  at  Thy  hands  the  remission, 
Eternal,  and  perfect,  and  free, 

That  Thou  on  the  Cross  of  Thine  anguish 
Hast  won  by  Thy  Blood  for  me. 

I  drink  of  the  fountain  that  floweth 
Fresh  from  the  Rock  that  was  riven  ; 

Thy  Life-Blood  my  life  for  ever, 
Thyself,  my  Home  and  my  Heaven. 


THE  SUPPER 

"  He  took  bread,  and  gave  thanks,  and  brake  it,  and  gave 
unto  them,  saying,  This  is  My  Body,  which  is  given  for  you  :  this 
do  in  remembrance  of  Me." — Luke  xxii.  19. 

He  took  the  bread  that  should  stand  as  a  sign 

Through  the  ages  far  and  dim, 
Of  the  mystery  of  the  Love  Divine 

Eevealed  in  Him. 


Then  gave  He  thanks  for  the  ransom  paid, 

The  Body  that  should  be  given 
For  those  whose  names  ere  the  worlds  were  made 

Were  written  by  God  in  Heaven. 

He  brake  the  bread — to  the  slaughter  led 

Must  the  Lamb  unblemished  go, 
To  bear  the  sin  in  the  sinners  stead — 
Lo  !  garments  dyed  as  crimson  red 

Are  whiter  than  the  snow. 


5  8  THE    SUPPER 

He  gave  the  bread — from  the  Hand  divine 
Whose  glorious  gifts  are  free — 

He  gave  Himself,  O  soul,  to  be  thine, 
In  measureless  love  to  thee. 

And  still  in  the  dawn  of  the  heavenly  day 

The  manna  to  man  unknown 
Lies  white  in  the  dew  on  the  wilderness  way, 

The  gift  of  the  Lord  to  His  own. 

Still  day  by  day  with  a  lavish  hand 
Are  the  weary  and  hungering  fed — 

They  heed  not  the  drought  of  the  barren  land 
Who  feed  on  the  heavenly  bread. 

And  God  rejoiceth  in  Him  and  in  His 
With  Christ  in  His  glory  one — 

Alive  with  the  life  of  eternal  bliss — 
The  life  that  is  in  His  Son. 


THE  FRUIT  OF   THE    VINE 

"  He  took  the  cup,  and  gave  thanks,  and  gave  it  to  them, 
saying,  Drink  ye  all  of  it ;  for  this  is  My  Blood  of  the  new 
testament,  which  is  shed  for  many  for  the  remission  of  sins. 
But  I  say  unto  you,  I  will  not  drink  henceforth  of  this  fruit  of 
the  vine,  until  that  day  when  I  drink  it  new  with  you  in  My 
Father's  kingdom." — Matt.  xxvi.  27-29. 

So  took  He  the  cup  of  the  red  red  wine, 

And  thanks  He  gave  to  God, 
For  the  fruit  of  the  Vine,  the  token  and  sign 

Of  the  precious  atoning  Blood. 

The  Blood  which  the  righteous  God  should  see 

And  pass  by  the  sinners  door — 
The  Blood  which  his  ransom  and  price  should  be, 

His  shelter  for  evermore. 


The  Blood  which  should  wash  from  guilt's  dark  brand 

The  vilest  here  below, 
That  he  in  the  light  of  God  should  stand, 

And  whiter  there  than  the  snow. 

59 


6o  THE    FRUIT    OF    THE    VINE 

The  Blood  which  should  flow  as  a  living  tide, 

As  from  the  Rock  the  River, 
And  the  weary  drink  and  are  satisfied, 

And  thirst  no  more  for  ever. 


The  Blood  that  should  be  the  Life  indeed, 

Eternal  and  divine, 
Of  him  who  in  weakness  and  in  need 

Shall  drink  the  heavenly  wine. 

The  Blood,  the*  new  and  the  living  way 

Whereby  we  enter  in 
The  Holiest  place  to  look  on  the  Face 

That  will  never  look  on  our  sin. 

The  Blood  that  made  the  eternal  peace, 

The  guilt  and  the  judgment  past, 
That  the  wanderings  of  the  soul  should  cease 

In  the  Father  s  arms  at  last. 

He  gave  the  cup,  and  said,  Drink  ye  all, 

My  Blood  is  freely  given — 
Then  sweet  is  the  welcome,  and  wide  is  the  call, 

And  open  the  door  of  Heaven.   .   .  . 


THE    FRUIT    OF    THE    VINE  6 1 

And  His  soul  beheld  how  the  shadow  dim 

Should  fade  before  the  True, 
And  His  belovdd  should  sit  with  Him 

At  the  feast  where  the  wine  is  new. 

From  the  banquet  hall  of  the  distant  years, 

From  the  glory  around  the  throne 
The  song  and  the  music  reached  His  ears. 

.   .  .  And  He  sang  a  psalm  with  His  own. 


ETERNAL  LIFE 

"  This  is  the  record,  that  God  hath  given  to  us  eternal  life, 
and  this  life  is  in  His  Son." — i  John  v.  ii. 

Such  gift  is  Thine,  0  God,  the  Life  eternal — 

To  Thee  the  sinner  fled, 
And  stood  transformed  in  life  and  light  before  Thee, 

Arisen  from  the  dead. 

The  tale  of  an  existence  never  ending 

Was  told  him  long  ago — 
The  murmur  of  a  sad  mysterious  river 

That  must  for  ever  flow — 

On  through  the  ages  unexplored  and  endless 

To  wander  without  rest — 
To  reach  no  goal  at  last,  to  anchor  never, 

No  sunset  in  the  west. 

.  .   .  And   now   he  sings,  I  thank  Thee,   God  and 
Father, 
For  that  which  Thou  hast  given, 
The  living  water  pure  and  fresh  for  ever, 

From  hidden  depths  of  Heaven. 

62 


ETERXAL    LIFE  63 

Life,  glorious  life,  the  marvellous  awakening 

In  everlasting  day 
To  light  and  music  of  a  strange  rejoicing 

That  shall  not  pass  away. 

There  is  a  river  that  makes  glad  the  city 

The  soul  has  reached  at  last : 
First  breath  of  Heaven  from  lips  of  Christ  arisen 

Has  told  that  death  is  past. 

The  life  of  Jesus  henceforth  and  for  ever 

A  well  of  water  springs 
Within  the  soul  that  dwells  in  Christ  in  glory 

Midst  earthly  wanderings — 

A  blessed  cup  of  God's  divine  refreshing 

Amidst  mens  toil  and  strife  .  .   . 
Go,  give  to  drink  of  Heaven's  crystal  river, 

For  Jesus  is  the  Life. 

This  His  commission  to  the  soul  that  drinketh  ; 

Himself  the  treasure  stored 
In  earthen  vessels,  bearing  to  the  weary 

The  gladness  of  the  Lord. 


64  ETERNAL    LIFE 

The  blessed  music  from  the  Father  s  palace, 

The  joy  that  is  His  own, 
Borne  far  away  along  the  stream  that  floweth 

From  depths  of  love  unknown — 

Far,  far  away,  where  lost  ones  stray  and  wander, 
And  where  the  hopeless  weep — 

The  farther  are  the  barren  desert  places, 
More  full  the  stream  and  deep. 

As  once  the  mothers  weeping  eyes  were  opened 

The  living  well  to  see, 
O  soul,  lost  soul  and  hopeless,  hear,  He  calleth 

To  show  that  well  to  thee. 


BECOME  A    CHILD 

"  He  took  a  child,  and  set  him  in  the  midst  of  them  :  and  when 
He  had  taken  him  in  His  arms,  He  said  unto  them,  Whosoever 
shall  receive  one  of  such  children  in  My  name,  receiveth  Me." — 
Mark  ix.  36. 

As  a  child  within  the  arms  of  Jesus, 

So  would  I  be — 
Hear  him  say,  Whoso  this  child  receiveth, 

He  receiveth  Me. 


Standing  in  the  face  of  the  disputer, 

Looking  on  the  wise 
With  the  blessed  gladness  and  assurance 

Of  an  infant's  eyes. 

Hearing  all  the  wisdom  God  makes  foolish 

As  an  empty  sound — 
Men  may  seek,  and  weary  in  their  seeking, 

But  the  child  has  found — 

65  E 


66  BECOME    A    CHILD 

Found  the  wondrous  secret  of  all  being, 

Drawn  unto  the  breast 
Where  he  has  his  shelter  and  his  safety, 

His  eternal  rest. 

From  the  arms  of  Jesus  he  beholdeth 

All  the  pride  of  men  ; 
He  is  small,  despised,  and  unregarded, 

He  is  greatest  then. 

Not  by  man's  acclaim  is  he  dishonoured, 

By  his  praise  defiled — 
Jesus  is  the  gladness  and  the  glory 

Of  His  little  child. 

Christ  the  Wisdom  and  the  Power  that  speaketh 

By  those  lips  untaught 
In  the  wisdom  that  is  ever  seeking, 

And  that  findeth  nought. 

Working  mighty  miracles  and  wonders 

Thus  the  child  is  set, 
By  His  hand  to  stand  amongst  apostles 

And  to  preach  Him  yet. 


BECOME    A    CHILD  67 

Knowing  Jesus  :  knowing  nought  beside  Him  ; 

Knowing  truth  the  world  has  never  known — 
Oh  to  be  the  child  whom  men  behold  not, 

Seeing  Christ  alone ! 


THE    TRUE  GOD 

"  The  God  of  patience  and  consolation." — Rom.  xv.  5. 

A  woeld  without  sin  and  sorrow, 
A  world  without  death  and  pain ; 

And  afar  and  afar,  from  star  to  star, 
No  shadow,  nor  spot,  nor  stain — 

No  sin  to  call  for  the  judgment 

Of  flood  and  fire  and  dearth, 
But  peace  in  unsullied  heavens, 

And  peace  on  the  blissful  earth. 

As  God  is  the  God  of  the  lily, 

The  God  of  the  angels  white, 
So  each  and  all  at  His  feet  would  fall 

In  the  worship  of  delight. 

So  known  as  the  fountain  eternal 

Of  music  and  joy  and  song ; 
The  beauty  of  things  that  are  lovely, 

The  glorious  strength  of  the  strong. 


THE    TRUE    GOD  69 

And  between  Himself  and  His  creatures 

Eternal  love  would  be  ; 
No  blight  in  the  harvest  valleys, 

No  tempests  upon  the  sea.  .  .  . 

But  behold  !  the  vail  of  the  Temple 

Was  rent  in  a  day  that  is  passed, 
And  the  God  through  the  ages  hidden 

Was  seen  in  His  glory  at  last. 

The  Father  Who  ran  in  His  gladness 

To  meet  His  rebellious  child, 
Who  fell  on  the  neck  of  the  sinner 

Yet  in  his  rags  defiled — 

The  God  Who  made  ready  His  supper, 

In  hedges  and  highways  sought 
The  poor  and  the  maimed  and  the  wretched, 

The  outcasts  who  knew  Him  not. 

Brought  in  to  the  feast  and  the  singing, 

Unwilling,  unworthy,  to  share 
His  love  for  the  Son  of  His  bosom, 

Whose  agony  brought  them  there — 


70  THE    TRUE    GOD 

Exchanging  the  throne  of  His  glory 
For  weariness,  shame,  and  loss  ; 

The  Hands  that  fashioned  the  lilies 
Nailed  to  the  felon's  cross. 


Thus,  O  my  God,  do  I  know  Thee ! 

The  Man  of  sorrows  and  tears — 
The  crown  of  Thy  Godhead's  glory 

Those  three  and  thirty  years. 

Thus  to  reveal  the  Father, 
The  God  of  unchanging  will, 

The  Love  that  despite  all  evil 
Would  be  Love  eternal  still. 

Not  by  the  garden  He  planted, 
By  rivers  with  sands  of  gold, 

By  an  earth  unblighted,  unsullied, 
Can  the  love  of  His  heart  be  told. 

O  God,  not  the  glades  of  Eden 
Speak  to  my  soul  of  Thee, 

But  the  desolate  starlit  mountains, 
Gethsemane — Calvary. 


THE    TRUE    GOD  7  I 

The  God  of  the  stainless  and  sinless, 

So  is  not  the  God  I  know — 
But  Jesus  Who  wept  for  the  sinner, 

Who  has  borne  the  curse  of  His  foe. 


A    WALL    OF  JASPER 

"Thou  shalt  call  thy  walls  Salvation." — Isa.  lx.  18. 

A  mighty  wall,  most  great  and  high, 

A  wall  unseen ; 
Dark  shadowy  lands  around  it  lie — 

It  stands  between 
The  blessed  garden  of  the  Lord's  delight, 

The  deserts  of  the  night. 
Within,  the  Lord  doth  walk  at  eventide 

Ere  sets  the  day ; 
Around  Him  His  beloved  ones  abide 

In  white  array. 
The  lion  entereth  not, 

Nor  ravening  beast, 
That  still  and  sacred  spot 

Of  song  and  feast. 
But  wandering  souls  without  that  sheltering  wall 

May  enter  in — 
A  welcome  waiteth  at  the  gate  for  all. 
And  there  the  Voice  of  tenderest  mercy  calls 

Across  the  wastes  of  sin — 

72 


A    WALL    OF   JASPER  73 

Come  !  for  the  white  array  is  freely  given 

That  maketh  meet 
To  walk  with  Christ  amidst  the  songs  of  Heaven, 

To  worship  at  His  feet. 
Beneath  the  shadow  of  the  sheltering  wings 

O  come  and  rest — 
Without,  the  weeping  and  the  wanderings  ; 
Within,  the  sweetness  of  the  heavenly  things, 

The  Saviour's  Breast. 


THE   GIFT 

"  As  though  God  did  beseech  you." — 2  Cor.  v.  20. 

He  spake  to  me  in  stillness  of  the  night — 

He  said,  "  The  Gift  is  given  ; 
And  thine  is  the  unspeakable  delight, 

The  blessed  joy  of  heaven. 
For  thee  the  table  is  in  fulness  spread, 

Poured  forth  the  heavenly  wine  ; 
For  thee  My  flesh  was  given,  My  Blood  was  shed, 

For  thee  came  down  the  rain  of  living  Bread ; 
All — all  is  thine. 

"  Thine  all  the  riches  of  My  glorious  grace, 

Unmeasured  and  untold — 
The  hidden  treasures  of  My  secret  place, 

My  spices  and  My  gold. 
I  gave  thee  all,  for  thee  I  poor  became, 

That  rich  thy  store  might  be ; 
And  poor,  with  nought  but  hatred,  scorn,  and  shame, 

I  gave  Myself  to  thee. 

74 


THE    GIFT  7  5 

"I  gave  Myself — what  wouldst  thou  more  than  Christ, 

Through  endless  years  ? 
I  gave  Myself— lo  !  hath  not  this  sufficed  ? 

For  thee  the  mighty  wine  of  love  is  spiced  ; 
Response  to  gall  and  vinegar  of  hate, 

Mixed  for  the  anguish  of  the  Desolate 
To  plenteousness  of  tears. 

"  Far  more  than  fills  the  measure  of  thy  cup 

My  hand  has  poured — 
And  lo  !  I  fain  would  enter  in  and  sup, 

A  suppliant  at  thy  board ; 
For  Mine  is  the  unsatisfied  desire, 

The  hunger  and  the  thirst — 
Thy  need  was  desperate,  O  soul,  and  dire, 
My  direr  need  was  first. 

11 1  loved  thee,  when  to  thee  I  was  unknown, 

A  name  despised  ; 
Thy  door  was  locked  and  barred  to  One  alone  ; 

One  only — Christ. 
Of  that  disdainful  heart  I  died  to  win 

I  claim  the  whole ; 
I  knock  and  wait  till  I  may  enter  in 
The  palace  of  thy  soul. 


76  THE    GIFT 

Lo  !  more  than  thou  couldst  ask  My  love  has  given, 

Than  thou  couldst  think — 
O  soul,  I  come  athirst  from  highest  Heaven, 
Give  Me  to  drink." 


THE   QUIET  LAND 

"  We  which  have  believed  do  enter  into  rest." — Heb.  iv.  3. 

Brought    from    the    clamour,  from    the    murmuring 
voices, 

From  restless  winds  and  from  the  troubled  sea, 
To  that  fair  land  where  every  breath  rejoices — 

Brought  home  to  Thee. 

The  still  infinitude  of  God  surrounding, 
The  mystery  of  love  to  man  unknown, 

The  silence  that  is  music  ever  sounding ; 
With  God  alone. 

The  silence  that  is  speech  and  glorious  singing, 

Both  passing  sweet ; 
There  sits  beside  the  fountain  ever  springing 

Another,  yet  myself,  who  hears ; 
Another — dweller  not  in  days  and  years 

That  change  and  fleet — 

But  one  to  whom  the  troubled  sea  is  still, 

A  vanished  sound, 
To  whom  the  songs  and  holy  psalteries  fill 

The  stillness  all  around  ; 


7§  THE    QUIET    LAND 

To  whom  the  glory  of  a  newborn  day 

Is  fresh  and  fair  ; 
Not  as  the  ancient  sunrise  passed  away, 

But  still  unfolding  there  ; 

Uprising  into  everlasting  noon 

Where  smites  no  sun  nor  heat ; 
No  night  is  there  where  rules  the  changeful  moon 

To  guide  the  wandering  feet, 

But  there  the  everlasting  Light  is  God, 

And  Sun  and  Shade  is  He ; 
In  those  still  meadows  green  His  staff  and  rod 

Shall  comfort  me — 

The  sorrow  and  the  gladness  passed  away — 

The  midnight  and  the  stars ; 
The  soul  goes  forth  to  free  and  glorious  day 

Beyond  the  prison  bars. 

Through  blessed  valleys  where  my  lot  is  cast 

He  leads  me  on ; 
And  there  the  winter  is  for  ever  past, 

The  rain  is  past  and  gone. 


THE    QUIET    LAND  79 

There  bloom  the  flowers  of  His  eternal  spring, 

There  rests  His  Dove  ; 
It  is  the  time  when  joyful  voices  sing, 

The  time  of  love. 

Lord  Jesus,  Land  of  fountains  and  of  deeps, 

My  Home  art  Thou, 
Wherein  high  festival  my  spirit  keeps, 

Now,  even  now. 


THE  KNOWN  GOD 

"  From  henceforth  ye  know  Him,  and   have  seen  Him."- 

JOHN  xiv.   7. 

Once  seen — seen  once  and  for  ever, 

O  Face  Divine ; 
The  Face  of  my  Father,  Lord  Jesus, 

Unveiled  in  Thine. 

One  look,  and  the  rebel  is  vanquished, 

The  wandering  heart  is  won ; 
I  know  that  God  is  my  Father, 

I  am  loved  as  He  loves  His  Son. 

The  light  of  that  love  eternal 

Has  turned  my  night  to  day, 
And  the  former  things  with  their  glamour 

For  ever  are  passed  away. 

O  world  !  hast  thou  yet  an  enchantment 
For  him  who  beholds  that  Face  ? 

A  storm  for  the  ship  that  is  anchored 
In  the  calm  of  His  holy  place  ? 


THE    KNOWN    GOD 

A  song  for  the  ear  that  heareth 
The  golden  psalm  that  He  sings, 

Because  the  soul  that  He  ransomed 
Is  safe  beneath  His  wings  ? 

The  Face  that  was  bowed  in  weeping 

When  He  walked  by  the  mourner's  side- 
That  He  hid  not  from  shame  and  spitting, 
The  Face  of  the  Crucified. 

Amidst  illusions  and  shadows 

The  Changeless  and  the  True  ; 
In  Thy  glory  my  soul  has  seen  Thee, 

And  all  things  are  made  new. 

By  the  mighty  strength  of  Thy  yearning, 
By  the  spell  of  Thy  love  divine, 

By  the  precious  Blood  that  has  washed  me, 
My  Lord  and  my  God,  I  am  Thine. 


A    CROWN  OF  THORNS 


"  Esteeming  the  reproach  of  Christ  greater  riches  than  the 
treasures  in  Egypt." — Heb.  xi.  26. 

All  hail !  the  reproach  of  Jesus, 

All  hail !  the  shame  and  the  Cross — 

For  Thee,  the  Despised,  to  reckon 
All  things  but  loss. 

To  wear  as  a  diadem  royal 

The  crown  of  the  world's  disdain, 

Because  Thy  light,  Lord  Jesus, 
Shines  in  Thine  own  again. 

How  fair  are  the  pastures  lying 

By  the  waters  deep  and  still — 
How  fair  is  the  golden  city 

On  God's  most  holy  hill ; 

But  fairer  across  the  desert 

The  trace  of  His  weary  feet — 
Oh  sweet  are  His  resting-places, 

His  pilgrim  staff  more  sweet. 

82 


A    CROWN    OF   THORNS  83 

A  Pilgrim  athirst  and  aweary 

He  trod  the  desert  alone, 
His  Face  to  the  cross  of  His  passion, 

To  the  heaven  He  won  for  His  own. 

We  tread  in  the  path  Thou  hast  trodden 

Across  the  desert  and  sea, 
With  palms  and  with  songs  of  rejoicing, 

Because  we  are  following  Thee — 

The  face  to  the  foe  and  to  heaven 

Unknown,  defamed  and  despised, 
Glad  eyes  on  the  goal  resplendent — 
That  goal  is  Christ. 


THE    UNSLEEPING  EYE 


"  The  Lord  make  His  Face  shine  upon  thee,  and  be  gracious 
unto  thee  ;  the  Lord  lift  up  His  countenance  upon  thee,  and  give 
thee  peace." — Num.  vi.  25,  26. 

O  Thou  Love  Divine,  whose  Face  resplendent 

Shineth  on  my  way, 
Sweet  it  is  to  be  on  Thee  dependent 

Night  and  day. 


Thou  my  Guide  along  the  lonely  valleys 

On  the  stormy  heights, 
Strength  for  days  of  burning  desert  journeys, 

Light  for  starless  nights. 

Haven,  sheltered  by  eternal  mountains 

Safe  from  wind  and  tide, 
Sweetest  music  of  the  Bridegroom's  gladness 

Welcoming  the  Bride — 

All  in  Thee  ;  responding  not  to  cravings 

In  this  heart  of  mine, 
But  to  deeper  needs,  mysterious  yearnings 

Of  the  Love  Divine. 


THE    UNSLEEriNG    EYE  85 

Thou  didst  need  me  when  I  had  not  known  Thee 

Nor  desired  to  know  ; 
Thou  didst  thirst  for  me  amidst  Thine  anguish 

Long  ago — 

All  my  sitting  down  and  mine  uprising, 

Thoughts  that  stray  and  rove, 
Weary  steps  and  welcome  resting-places, 

Watched  by  Eyes  of  love. 

Every  word  a  listening  ear  remembers, 

And  behind,  before, 
Lo  !  a  tender  Hand  is  laid  upon  me, 

Guiding  evermore. 

If  through  starry  pathways  of  the  heavens 

High  in  glory  led, 
Or  in  gloom  and  silence  where  are  sleeping 

All  the  ancient  dead — 

Everywhere  I  follow  on  and  find  Thee 

Holding,  leading  me — 
Borne  afar  upon  the  wings  of  morning 

Past  the  utmost  sea. 


86  THE    UNSLEEPING    EYE 

Unto  me,  0  God,  Thy  thoughts  are  precious, 

Countless  as  the  sand ; 
I  shall  wake  with  Thee  from  life's  long  slumber 

In  the  blessed  land. 


THE   GOAL 

"  I  will  shew  thee  the  Bride,  the  Lamb's  Wife." — Rev.  xxi.  9. 

The  Lord  in  His  patience  is  waiting 

For  the  joy  before  Him  set — 
The  Crown  of  all  crowns  of  His  glory 
He  wears  not  yet. 

The  sapphires  lie  yet  in  the  mountains, 

The  pearls  lie  yet  in  the  sea, 
That  amidst  the  rejoicing  of  Heaven 
His  Crown  shall  be. 

He  waits  till  in  fairest  adorning 

His  sister,  His  spouse  shall  stand 
Beside  Him  in  radiant  morning 
At  God's  right  hand. 

The  songs  and  the  psalteries  sounding 
Shall  tell  of  the  Lamb  Who  died— 
How  precious  the  Son  to  the  Father, 

To  Christ,  His  Bride. 

87 


THE    GOAL 

The  Crown  of  the  gems  He  has  gathered 

For  ever  in  Heaven  shall  shine  ; 
O  sinner,  for  this  has  He  called  thee, 
His  throne  is  thine. 

For  not  in  His  deep  compassion, 

But  in  His  eternal  love, 
His  pearls  from  the  depths  He  beareth 
To  heaven  above. 

Awhile  for  thee  the  high  honour 
To  be  for  His  Name  despised ; 
To-morrow  beside  Him  in  Glory, 
The  Bride  of  Christ. 


THE    END 


Printed  by  Ballantyne,  Hanson  6-  Co. 
Edinburgh  &  London 


-^^^^^^^^^^^^#^^--- 


H  fIDeeting  anb  parting. 


THIS  world  can  give  us  a  meeting, 

But  always  a  parting  again  ; 
But  God  gives  in  mercy  a  meeting , 
Through  Christ  who  is  coming  again. 

A  meeting  with  never  a  parting — 
Oh  blessed,  oh  glorious  word ! 

When  we  shall  meet  the  departed 

Who  have  slept  with  peace  in  the  Lord. 

Where  sorrows  and  trials  are  ended , 
And  nothing  but  glory  we  see: 

No  more  a  wilderness  meeting 
But  a  meeting  from  sin  ever  free  ! 


